HT Digital,
New Delhi, Feb 20: The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday declared Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Kuldeep Kumar as the winner and Mayor of the union territory of Chandigarh.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had decided to direct a recount of votes in the contentious Chandigarh mayoral election, taking into account the eight ‘defaced’ ballots that had been deemed invalid by the returning officer. The court also found the returning officer Anil Masih guilty of serious misdemeanour in his role as RO.
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The election result issued by the presiding officer was subsequently nullified. A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud ordered that the eight ‘invalid’ votes be considered valid and that the result for Chandigarh Mayor be declared based on the recount.
The Supreme Court also strongly criticised Returning Officer Anil Masih, who is alleged to have tampered with the ballots.
The court stated it would direct that the votes be recounted and the eight ballots be treated as valid.
The Supreme Court also deemed it appropriate to initiate proceedings under Section 340 CrPC against Anil Masih and instructed the Registrar Judicial to issue a notice to him to provide reasons why action should not be taken against him.
